HB 4177 would allow eligible West Virginia homeowners - those aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, or widowed with less than $20,000 annual income - to lock in their property tax rate on the first $20,000 of their home's assessed value. To qualify, individuals must have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military returnees or those who left and returned within five years). Once eligible, their tax rate on that $20,000 portion remains fixed, preventing future increases due to rising home values. The exemption applies only to primary residences and takes effect from the July 1 assessment date.
HB 4397 increases the state tax rate for licensed online gambling operators in West Virginia from 15% to 25% of their adjusted gross revenue from interactive wagering. This bill directly affects companies holding licenses to operate online lottery and gambling services in the state. The tax replaces all other state and local taxes on these operations (except property tax), and operators must pay weekly via electronic transfer. The bill also prohibits tax credits for investments in gaming equipment or property used for these services. This is a straightforward tax rate adjustment with no new program provisions.
This House Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow West Virginia's Legislature to exempt certain business property from ad valorem property taxes. Specifically, it would enable future laws to exclude tangible machinery/equipment, business inventory, and business-use motor vehicles from property tax assessments. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election to take effect. If passed, it would change how the state taxes business assets, potentially reducing tax burdens for qualifying businesses. This is a procedural constitutional change, not an immediate tax law.
HB 4645 would reduce property taxes by 50% for all day care facilities in West Virginia. The bill requires that property used by these facilities be assessed at full value, but the tax due on that property would be cut in half. This directly affects day care facilities by lowering their property tax burden, which could help them reduce operational costs. The policy change is straightforward: a fixed 50% reduction applies to all qualifying facilities' property taxes.
HB 4455 gradually increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible homeowners, starting at $20,000 in 2028 and rising to $40,000 by 2031. It directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years. The bill requires a constitutional amendment to take effect and removes a cap on property tax books while repealing a prior limitation on levy rates. This change aims to reduce property tax burdens for qualifying senior and disabled residents over time.
HB 4260 authorizes West Virginia's Tax Department to establish specific rules for claiming property tax payments as income tax credits. This directly affects homeowners who pay property taxes and may qualify for these credits. The bill approves a previously modified rule (110 CSR 21H) that clarifies how property tax payments can be applied toward income tax obligations, without changing the credit amount or eligibility criteria. It ensures the Tax Department can implement administrative procedures for this existing credit mechanism.
HB 4822 redirects tax revenue from "High Impact Data Centers" (as defined under West Virginia law) to three specific recipients: the Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) fund, local counties, and public school boards. The bill amends tax distribution rules to require that incremental property tax revenue from these data centers - calculated using a new formula based on assessed value and levy rates - be reallocated instead of following previous distribution methods. This change directly affects data centers certified as "High Impact" under §11-6N-2, ensuring their tax contributions support state health insurance programs, county services, and school funding. The policy shift replaces prior tax allocation rules with a fixed distribution structure for these facilities.
HB 4031 requires West Virginia counties to conduct regular, three-year evaluations of all real property for tax assessment purposes, replacing arbitrary increases. The bill prohibits raising property tax assessments without a valid justification - such as a verified change in a property's market value - and bans using assessments solely to generate new revenue. It mandates that any assessment increase must be publicly justified and disclosed, ensuring transparency for property owners. This directly affects residential and commercial property owners by standardizing assessment practices and preventing sudden, unexplained tax hikes.
HB 4042 would exempt farm real property (including land and structures) used for agricultural purposes from property taxes in West Virginia, provided the owner-farmer resides on the property and earns at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-3-9 to add this specific tax exemption to the state's existing list of property tax exemptions. This policy change directly affects qualifying farmers who meet both the income threshold (40% from farming) and residency requirement (living on the farm property). The exemption applies only to property actively used for farming operations, not to other personal or investment properties.
HJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase West Virginia's homestead exemption from $20,000 to $50,000. This exemption currently protects the first $20,000 of assessed value on a primary residence (or mobile home) from property taxes for homeowners aged 65 or older, or permanently disabled residents. The change would reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners by exempting an additional $30,000 of their home's assessed value. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.
